Tana Raymond

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Democratic Garfield Councilwoman Tana Raymond released the following statement regarding Jon Corzine's attempts to distance himself from Joe Ferriero:

GOP gubernaatorial candidate Chris Christie, with Garfield Mayor Frank Calandriello, left, and Councilwoman Tana Raymond

GARFIELD- Slash taxes. Cut spending.

That was the double barrel message from GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie this afternoon when he addressed an approving crowd of senior citizens in this Bergen County blue collar river town where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1. 

"New Jersey has the highest unemployment and the highest property taxes in America," said Christie, who's challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in a dead heat race with three weeks until Election Day.

"The governor said if he's re-elected he'll raise income taxes," said Christie, the former U.S. Attorney. "In this election, there's a clear choice: Gov. Corzine will raise your taxes and increase spending - and take your money doing it."

He also chastised Corzine for musing about a gas tax hike.

State Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-Middletown) says there’s a “strong undercurrent” of Democratic support for Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie, though few Democrats will come out and say it.

“I can tell you that Chris has talked to a lot of Democrats, a lot of prominent Democrats. People who want to build relationships with him, want to start on the right foot and reach out to someone they think will be the next governor of New Jersey,” said Kyrillos, the chairman of Christie’s campaign,  in a conference call with reporters today.  “Mayors, leaders tell me I can’t really step out front, but I’m with you. You won’t see a big vote turnout here, you won’t see a lot of organization in this town there.”

The point of the conference call was highlight three Democrats who are supporting Christie, though one – Hillside Mayor Joseph Menza – did not wind up on the call and is actually an independent.  The other two were Joan Haberle, who was secretary of state during the first half of former Governor Jim Florio’s administration, and Garfield Councilwoman Tana Raymond, who has appeared for months in Christie campaign commercials and press releases.

Haberle, who Republicans similarly trotted out to support John McCain for president last year, maintained that she usually does vote Democrat.  

“I have always been a Democrat. In fact I was a county leader – I was chairman of the Democratic Party in Hunterdon County,” she said.

Garfield voters re-elected four incumbents, but ousted longtime Councilman James Krone, a former Mayor.  Challenger Tana Raymond beat Krone by 28 votes, 1,464 to 1,426.  Re-elected were Mayor Frank Calandriello (1,904), Louis Aloia (1,847), Joseph Delaney (1,759) and Stanley Moskal (1,743).